A daughter's thoughts
By Sarah
If I had one wish....... it would be that my mother didn't suffer from anxiety. Anxiety is my mum's way of life, her comfort zone and most of all her way of controlling the world.
She has suffered from anxiety her whole life and I believe has trouble distinguishing her own identity, from that of her anxiety. I often hear her saying, "This is who I am and I can't change who I am" I often wonder if anxiety is really who she is.
My mum's anxiety impacts greatly on her life. She is often unable to sleep, always on the go and never allows herself to relax or even take a holiday.
I often think she is oblivious to the impact her anxiety has on our family and I. My mother's and my relationship suffers enormously from her anxiety. It feels as if every aspect of our relationship does. I just want her to be my mum, to be able to talk to me. to go out together, enjoy the special moments of our lives and to be able to laugh and joke, without her anxiety contolling everything. I just want 'her' to be there, and for her to notice more that just her anxiety.
I know people don't choose to suffer from anxiety, just as people don't choose to be born to a mother who suffers from anxiety. But people can choose to seek help and support.
If I had one wish.......... it would be that my mum would seek help and realise that her anxiety impacts more that just her.
